Are 3rd gens...

[ADudeOnSkis]

Easier to work on? I currently have a 1999 5.2L, and after changing the thermostat today I'm getting a little tired of how everything in the engine bay is so damn hard to reach (read: the distributor being behind the intake where I cant freaking see it). I've been wondering if I'd be less angry about working on the truck with a 3rd gen, Pentastar or Hemi. Any input?

Thanks,
Dory

 

[SilverStreak88]

2nd gen's are easier... To change plugs in the rear on the HEMI you have to pull the fender liners. If you have to change something you pretty much have to pull something to get to "that" something.

 

[breg]

Nope. If you want easier go earlier.

 

[justin13703]

2nd gen's are easier... To change plugs in the rear on the HEMI you have to pull the fender liners. If you have to change something you pretty much have to pull something to get to "that" something.

You don't need to do that, just use 2 or 3 extensions and piece them together as you go down the spark plug hole. Then remove them one at a time as you come back up. I did all 16 plugs on my truck in like 30 minutes. Don't have to remove anything.

As far as "easier to work on", in general the newer you get the harder everything is to work on. Everything and I mean everything is controlled by a computer now where as back in the day it was just buttons switches and levers. And older vehicles were made to be fixed in your driveway where newer vehicles are designed to have to be taken to the dealership for something as small as a light bulb. 06 and up is where the 3rd gens started to get unnecessarily computerized.

 

[hotkarl]

My 4.7 is a pleasure to work on, relatively speaking. All newer vehicles are tight, but my '02 with the 4.7 has great access and working room.

 

[SilverStreak88]

My 4.7 is a pleasure to work on, relatively speaking. All newer vehicles are tight, but my '02 with the 4.7 has great access and working room.

First year of change over and a smaller motor with less equipment in the EB.

 

[HemiLonestar]

Take a look and judge for yourself:

 

[SilverStreak88]

Take a look and judge for yourself:

Looks cramped to me.

 

[HemiLonestar]

For some things it is lol...though for a cam swap, once you remove everything up front you can stand in front of the engine.

 

[SilverStreak88]

For some things it is lol...though for a cam swap, once you remove everything up front you can stand in front of the engine.

That's 1 thing that I do like... since I'm leveled I can sit on the ground under the front bumper and get to all the fun drivetrain parts.

 

[hotkarl]

First of change over and a smaller motor with less equipment in the EB.

I dreaded the day I ever had to work on my '11. When I first bought it I opened the hood and just hoped nothing ever went wrong. I figured thankfully I have 3 years of a warranty. So much plastic and wires.
I lost the truck in hurricane Sandy so I never had to do anything other than oil changes.

 

[ST-8]

If you ditch the clutch fan it really opens up some room in the engine bay. I don't think my trucks that much a pain in the ass

 

[justin13703]

If you ditch the clutch fan it really opens up some room in the engine bay. I don't think my trucks that much a pain in the ass

Yeah me either. There's plenty of room under the hood to get around and work. Anyone who thinks the engine bay of a full size truck is cramped should look under the hood of a German car or a Z32 300ZX lol

 

[RonJon '06]

There's plenty of room to work plus I think the Hemis are a lot cleaner and simpler under the hood compared to the 5.9 or 5.2. Only two vacuum lines and the 06 and newer don't have any traditional spark plug wires, just the wiring harness. Other than the fact that there are 16 I don't think there's anything too difficult about changing the spark plugs.

 

[TheSatinPumpkin]

think of all the space you have when you remove the A/C and mechanical fan.

 

[SilverStreak88]

Curious as to why we haven't heard a peep out of the OP??

 

[usaf2006]

think of all the space you have when you remove the A/C and mechanical fan.

Amen to that.

 

[hotkarl]

I just replaced the radiator and with that removed the engine compartment seemed cavernous.
While I had that stuff out I did some detailing and cleaning/painting under there and parts of the suspension/frame and it was a pleasure.

 

[Bullitt5339]

Mine seems to have an infinite amount of room to work under the hood......

 

[HemiLonestar]

Mine seems to have an infinite amount of room to work under the hood......

Can't imagine why...(cough V6 cough)